Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin
How Muslim Astronauts Pray in Space (muslimworldjournal.com)
12 points by douche on Dec 19, 2016 | hide | past | favorite | 5 comments


> just as the times of the prayer should be determined from where they launched, then fasting should be followed by the timing of the place of launch.

Pretty similar recommendation was given in Halacha (Jewish law). Since observance of commandments is time based, this question arises already on Earth, for example in the polar regions, which don't have regular night / day cycle. In orbit and etc. Those are all cases within Earth vicinity though.

More interesting question would be, what happens during an interplanetary space flight. What about other planets altogether, like Moon or even Mars? And then of course what about interstellar deep space flights? So far this wasn't discussed extensively, but quite possible some of those soon won't be theoretical questions anymore.

Interestingly, this topic is mentioned by Robert Heinlein in "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress"[1].

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moon_Is_a_Harsh_Mistress


What does it say about man's mind, that highly qualified specialists at the top of their game, still succumb to superstition.

The rules of this particular superstition come from a time when the world was considered flat, and yet here, as one is looking out into the vastness of space and repudiation of the source -- then conforms to it!

We are indeed more moist robots than critical beings.


True.

I read that most functions, even the higher ones, are executable without consciousness.

So it is possible, that people learn religion and science and just execute them without actively thinking about them.

This doesn't mean that they really got them in order, like "religion and science work together" it just means, when the time to pray is, they pray and when the time to research and reason is, they to this.


Ilan Ramon sought similar advice regarding keeping Shabbat and kosher on Columbia.[1] In the end he kept the times of Cape Canaveral.

[1] http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/632169/jewish/...


How about Mars? It has a day cycle close to 24 hours, but its year is around 1.88 Earth years. Couldn't find any info on that in different Shu"t.




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2026 batch! Applications are open till Nov 10

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: